O.k. so I've been struggling to get sponsors or just collect ANY funds. I guess it's just the society we live in, people don't want to give because they don't trust anyone anymore. That's fine but it doesn't make things easier for me unfortunately.
But then again there are still folks who are willing to help. Our first music theory lesson is this Thursday because I felt that we can't keep promising the children one thing and never deliver. But then I felt that for children of this age music theory is not going to interest them particularly long all by itself. So I decided to go look for more alternatives to get the guitars from so that we can get the children playing which is all they really want.
Firstly i started a facebook group with the same name as my blog, which I also decided would be the projects name i.e. Song of Difference. Then I went to a store called Love More Music to buy myself some strings for my acoustic and to see if they have suitable guitars for the group.
What happened next was a very pleasent experience. Firstly I was given as set of strings as a demo pack, which is great since I don't have a job so I couldn't really afford strings but really needed to change mine. Then I asked the two guys behind the counter some advice in terms of which guitars to get for the children at which point the one said (I presume either the manager or owner) that I must just e-mail him for a quote on all I need and he'll be glad to help.
That is awesome news as any help is appreciated and it finally feels like the project is getting underway! Oh yes and let me not forget about my good friend Arnelle who is also a guitar teacher who is going out of her way to help. She has already acquired one guitar and is trying to raise funds as well. Then also Leane who will be doing the music theory lessons for free!
All I can say is God provides! From strings when you can't afford them to putting people on your path who will help you out!
All I can say is THANK YOU LORD! and thanks to everyone involved!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Morals vs Money
So I started my new job today at a marketing company and all I can say is interesting.
From the start I didn't quite know if this is the job for me but I need work and beggers can't be choosers I believe. But it's just funny to me how when money is involved all morals have to make way for greed. I'm probably naive I know but I just feel people should know where to draw the line.
The problem I have is that from the moment I walked into the door I could feel this is not where I want to be. From the start of the day to end of the afternoon there were very few sentences which were not 'blessed' with the added emphesis of swearing. Now I know people will think "f#@*ing loser! Go cry to mommy" but seriously I don't care what your creed, colour or culture is there is just plain regard for others.
Money absolutely dominates these peoples lives and you can absolutely see how closing a deal, even at the clients expence, is more important than whether you might actually be neglecting the clients welfare and interists. We are taught in training not to take no for an answer, which is still acceptable to a degree I mean the buiseness does need to make sales. However we are also taught that if I client is resisting and out of desperation starts having a bit of an attitude then you do the same. If at the end he swears at you swear back. I mean seriously, what happened to client service?
I see nothing wrong with money, I mean I won't mind being a millionare! It's just that it saddens me how other people become worthless as long as there is enough paper in your pocket. Just look at the world, how many people suffer because money is more important to the people in power than the lives of the ones they swore to protect.
The focus should be love. In a world filled with hate and greed that is the one thing we need way more than money.
From the start I didn't quite know if this is the job for me but I need work and beggers can't be choosers I believe. But it's just funny to me how when money is involved all morals have to make way for greed. I'm probably naive I know but I just feel people should know where to draw the line.
The problem I have is that from the moment I walked into the door I could feel this is not where I want to be. From the start of the day to end of the afternoon there were very few sentences which were not 'blessed' with the added emphesis of swearing. Now I know people will think "f#@*ing loser! Go cry to mommy" but seriously I don't care what your creed, colour or culture is there is just plain regard for others.
Money absolutely dominates these peoples lives and you can absolutely see how closing a deal, even at the clients expence, is more important than whether you might actually be neglecting the clients welfare and interists. We are taught in training not to take no for an answer, which is still acceptable to a degree I mean the buiseness does need to make sales. However we are also taught that if I client is resisting and out of desperation starts having a bit of an attitude then you do the same. If at the end he swears at you swear back. I mean seriously, what happened to client service?
I see nothing wrong with money, I mean I won't mind being a millionare! It's just that it saddens me how other people become worthless as long as there is enough paper in your pocket. Just look at the world, how many people suffer because money is more important to the people in power than the lives of the ones they swore to protect.
The focus should be love. In a world filled with hate and greed that is the one thing we need way more than money.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
The begining
O.k. so this is my first blog...
Don't really know who's going to read this but I guess with blogging being quite popular and millions of people surfing the net someone might just stumble onto it.
I don't really know why I started the blog, but I just found myself with the urge to do it. I have a few ideas to blog on one of and probably the main one is about a project I am trying to start with disadvantaged children in Danville, South Africa. Then I'll be sharing my thoughts on current world situations as well as the goings on in my home country.
I guess for this first entry I'll talk about myself and the project I'm going to start...
I studied journalism but never quite got into it, it just didn't grab me after I realised that this was not what I was called to do. It did give me a few nice experiences though as it got me a job at the university where I work for the journalism department and ran a current affairs radio show. I also wrote for a local newspaper called Rekord West and was nominated as one of five student journalists of the year.
But after that I've gone from job to job and strangely enough I'm starting a new one tomorrow with a marketing company.
The project I want to start comes in with my previous job. For most of the last year, I worked for a non-profit organisation/charity/community centre called Eleos (meaning Grace in Action).
I ran an after school centre in a place called the Danville Kamers (Rooms) where I took care of the primary school children in the afternoon. I fell in love with these children, but their circumstances broke my heart (the reason I couldn't be a good journalist I can't stay neutral.)
Alas I have to leave them now as my new job is a full day desk job which doesn't allow me to help anymore. So I thought of a way I can still be involved. So I took one of my greatest loves, music, and decided to teach them guitar lessons.
I just feel that this would give them a sense of self worth and accomplishment, something very few of them have and their parents don't help either.
So in my blog I will follow the progress of these children, but first I need to get it off the ground. I need sponsors for guitars, music books etc... But I firmly believe that this will come soon enough!
So much for a short first entry.
Be Blessed!
Don't really know who's going to read this but I guess with blogging being quite popular and millions of people surfing the net someone might just stumble onto it.
I don't really know why I started the blog, but I just found myself with the urge to do it. I have a few ideas to blog on one of and probably the main one is about a project I am trying to start with disadvantaged children in Danville, South Africa. Then I'll be sharing my thoughts on current world situations as well as the goings on in my home country.
I guess for this first entry I'll talk about myself and the project I'm going to start...
I studied journalism but never quite got into it, it just didn't grab me after I realised that this was not what I was called to do. It did give me a few nice experiences though as it got me a job at the university where I work for the journalism department and ran a current affairs radio show. I also wrote for a local newspaper called Rekord West and was nominated as one of five student journalists of the year.
But after that I've gone from job to job and strangely enough I'm starting a new one tomorrow with a marketing company.
The project I want to start comes in with my previous job. For most of the last year, I worked for a non-profit organisation/charity/community centre called Eleos (meaning Grace in Action).
I ran an after school centre in a place called the Danville Kamers (Rooms) where I took care of the primary school children in the afternoon. I fell in love with these children, but their circumstances broke my heart (the reason I couldn't be a good journalist I can't stay neutral.)
Alas I have to leave them now as my new job is a full day desk job which doesn't allow me to help anymore. So I thought of a way I can still be involved. So I took one of my greatest loves, music, and decided to teach them guitar lessons.
I just feel that this would give them a sense of self worth and accomplishment, something very few of them have and their parents don't help either.
So in my blog I will follow the progress of these children, but first I need to get it off the ground. I need sponsors for guitars, music books etc... But I firmly believe that this will come soon enough!
So much for a short first entry.
Be Blessed!
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